Volume 27 #10 November, 2017 2017 WPMC Christmas Party By Scott Coatsworth O Upcoming Events Sat Dec 2 Sat Dec 9 WPMC Christmas Party Toy Train Museum Tour ur annual Christmas Party is scheduled for Saturday, December 2, 2017. There is a separate page in this newsletter that has all of the details please read it and RSVP to me with menu selections and dinner checks written to West Penn Miata Club. We have made some changes behind the scenes to make the time flow more smoothly this year. One change that I ask you to help with is to reduce the check-in time at the party so that people can get their table assignments more quickly instead of backing up at the registration table. Here is how you can help: Download the Membership Application at http://www.westpennmiataclub.com/docs/memberapp+terms.pdf and print it out Fill out the application, write a check for $30 to West Penn Miata Club, and follow the instructions for mailing it to Nancy Galvin. Your cooperation will be appreciated. For those who still want to fill out paperwork and write a check at the check-in table, if you happen to be a Seinfeld fan, the Soup Nazi might say No soup for you! 2018 Membership Dues by Nancy Galvin Remember that membership is contingent on submitting a signed copy of the WPMC "Terms & Conditions" with your 2018 application. If you have already submitted a copy of the "Terms & Conditions" you need not sign it again. Once & done! Please read and choose one of the following options for renewing your WPMC Membership. RENEW EARLY! I invite current members to consider mailing in a completed 2018 Application, signed Terms & Conditions, and $30 check at this time. I'll get a receipt and 2018 Membership Card out to you straightaway! Avoid having to queue up to pay for your 2018 Membership at the Christmas Party! RENEW AT THE CHRISTMAS PARTY! If you prefer to renew at the Christmas Party check-in desk, please remember to bring your completed 2018 WPMC Membership Application & signed "Terms & Conditions" with you. A completed 2018 application must be submitted, even IF you're already a member. This process ensures our contact information for every member is up-to-date. If you have already signed and submitted the WPMC "Terms & Conditions" you don't need to sign it again at the party. Please staple or paperclip your $30 check (or cash) to the completed documents. RENEW BEFORE MARCH 31st! Mail your 2018 Application, signed "Terms & Conditions" and $30 check at any time through March 31, 2018. The WPMC Membership Application and Terms and Conditions can be downloaded at: http://www.westpennmiataclub.com/docs/memberapp+terms.pdf Make your check payable to: West Penn Miata Club and mail to:: West Penn Miata Club 3420 Country Club Rd Mt Pleasant PA 15666 I 'd like to remind everyone that 2017 Memberships will expire on December 31st. Thanks for your continued support of WPMC and your participation in club events!
2 Toy Train Museum Tour Hocking Hills Experience by Bill & Juliette Flasche I by Linda & Joe Zimliki t's been a few years since I have done a Christmas Tour. I decided it was time to revisit a favorite. What do you associate with Christmas Season besides trees, decorations, and cookies? How many of you dig out the toy train? I know we have a lot of train lovers. In Pittsburgh, hidden away the entire year except for two days during Christmas Season, is an incredible private collection. This collection has been the subject of books, magazines, and entire TV programs. The collector has one of every train made between 1860 and 1939 by companies like Lionel, American Flyer, and Ives. There are floors and room after room of these trains. He has the prototype of Lionel s first stream engine produced in 1908, as well as the train layout. The first time we visited the collection, our members could not get over the vast amount of antique toy trains right here in Pittsburgh. They were like kids in a candy store. It will be interesting to see what has been added to his collection. Trains bring out the kid in people so come indulge your childhood. You will not be disappointed. Details follow. We will go out to a restaurant afterward. Date & Tine: Saturday December 9 at 1:00 PM Meeting Place: 954 Ridge Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15212 Y es, we did take a ride on the Hocking Valley Scenic Railroad and did stop to visit an Old Historic Village during the ride. And, yes we did get to visit the very scenic, tranquil, and enjoyable Old Man and Ash Caves in Hocking Hills State Park. But, this cruise was really all about maneuvering Miatas on some of the best curvy, hilly, winding, challenging, fantastic roads a sports car driver could ever imagine. Linda and Joe really out did themselves in putting together this cruise. It was rather cool when we started our cruise in Washington, PA with our tops up, which turned out to be a good thing since we met Mr. Foggy Bottom as we started down Rt 7 along the Ohio River. "Foggy" replaced the scenic river views and Mr. Fogster took over from him as we climbed up Rt 148. And, every time Mr. Sunshine appeared, Fogster, Jr. did his best to restrict our views. But, Sunshine prevailed resulting in a perfect summer time day and we got to Rt 26, one of the best Miata roads ever. All the roads over to the train depot in Nelsonville were great. We had lunch next door at Rocky Outdoor Gear - probably the only place where you can get boots, socks, shirts, etc. for desert. After visiting the caves the next morning we headed back on some more great roads. We went over the "roller coaster" with many saying "we-e-e-e" and took a sharp left onto "serpentine hill" continuing on before someone said "that was a great stretch of road" to which I thought "which one?" We ended the cruise coming down Rt 147, a route to remember in and of itself, to Bellaire for the ice cream finale. These Ohio roads need to be enjoyed again and again. Cost: $15 per person RSVP: lzimliki@westpennmiataclub.com or 724-327- 1762 by December 4.
3 2017 CRUISIN & ZOOMIN SEASON BY LINDA ZIMLIKI O ur Cruisin and Zoomin season is almost over for 2017. We zoomed to some great places. We need cruise leaders to lead us on the country roads of southwest Pennsylvania next season. It can be a destination cruise or just a pure zoomin cruise. If you need an idea, I have plenty of places we can visit or you may know a place. Please let me know what you are considering for a cruise because someone may have had same the great idea you had. Please contact me. We still have two more events for 2017 - The Christmas Party on Saturday December 2 and The Christmas Toy Train Tour on Saturday, December 9. If you haven't already done so, please send your check with meal selections to Scott Coatsworth for the Christmas Party. You don t want to miss Mike the DJ, door prizes, grand prizes, and homemade items. We ask if you have a talent to make something. It can be an item or baked goods. When you sign up, please send me an email with what you are bringing. See you at the Christmas Party! Zoom Zoomm Zoommm! Ragtop review by Ron Hoffman, President T he 2017 cruising season has officially come to an end. We had great cruises this past year. Pat and I enjoyed many of them. I want to thank the cruise leaders for all their efforts in planning their drives. There is a bit of work that goes into planning a cruise but it is well worth it. I know, Pat and I led two. The club will soon start planning for next year s cruises. Please consider being a cruise leader even if you have not led one before. The club will provide all the support you need to plan and lead one. As most of you know, the last event of the year is our annual Christmas party, which is December 2nd. Check out the details in this newsletter and please get your reservations in ASAP. The club officers are working out the final plans and it should again be a fun event. I don t know about you but I am still hoping I can get the Little Guy out on the road a few more times before I get it ready for winter storage. The November extended forecast calls for warmer than average temperatures and above average rain (OH Well!!) so I m hopeful we will get a few more rides in. At least Pat and I were able to take our favorite route through the Laurel Highlands for our annual leaf peep this past month though the leaves were a bit of a disappointment this year not a lot of color. Hopefully you got out with your Miata for a late Fall cruise. Speaking of getting your Miata ready for winter storage whether you keep it in your own garage or take it to a commercial storage center, here are a few tips that I got from the storage service I used when I lived in Erie. Winter storage of your summer fun vehicles/toys is a big deal in Erie, but it needn t be a big production and they are real professionals there in Erie when it has anything to do with winter weather!! Make sure you give your Miata one final good cleaning, both exterior and interior. Also try to give it a final coat of polish. It will look a lot better and be ready to take out on the road that first warm day in spring if you can give it that last polish job. Get one final oil change even if hasn t been that long since the previous oil change. Get a full tank of gas. Some say to also use stabilizer but most say it isn t needed. I never use it and I ve had no problems. If you are storing your Miata in your garage, then connect the battery to a good battery tender. I got a Deltran brand last year on Amazon.com but the local Interstate Battery Outlets also have them. This device is advertised as NOT being a trickle charger, which is known to damage batteries. I think I may have ruined two batteries with a trickle charger!! You don t need to take the battery out of the car and I had no problem starting it up in the spring. Finally, your Miata needs a decent cover to keep it cozy during its winter nap plus uncovering it in the spring and seeing it for the first time since fall is quite a rush!! That s all I do to get my Little Guy ready for winter. In closing, Pat and I hope that everyone has a happy, healthy and safe holiday season and we re looking forward to seeing you on December 2nd at our Holiday get-together. Later!!
Officers e-mail: web site: wpmc@westpennmiataclub.com http://www.westpennmiataclub.com Founder: Paul Fronko President: Ron Hoffman Vice President: Scott Coatsworth (814) 440-3338 (412) 951-3340 West Penn Club Legalese The FUN No THE SUN TIMES is published as a service by the West Penn Miata Club, Inc. a non-profit corporation. Treasurer: Nancy Galvin Secretary: Mike Leone Events Chair: Linda Zimliki Past President: Mike Butler (330) 717-6335 (724) 554-9544 (724) 327-1762 (412) 498-0962 Editor - In - Chief: Steve Lapp Send all editorial contributions to: c/o Steve Lapp 105 Gadshill Place Pittsburgh, PA 15237 e-mail: slapp@westpennmiataclub.com The assumes no liability for any information contained herein; or injury or damage resulting from the use of this information. The ideas, maintenance, opinions, or modification tips expressed are to be used at the readers discretion. Individual contributors and/or editors express no approval, authentication, or endorsement. c/o Mike Leone 1216 Morgan Road Bridgeville, PA 15017 West Penn Address goes here Club leave room for mail bar code to go here
! ANNUAL CHRISTMAS PARTY Saturday - December 2, 2017 6:00 TO 11:00 PM Social Hour 6:00 PM-7:00PM Cash Bar w/hors d oeuvres Dinner: 7:00 PM Place: Comfort Inn - Formerly Harley House Seasons Ballroom 699 Rodi Road - Parkway East at Penn Hills Exit 11 Spending the night - Special room rate $65.00 includes Hot Breakfast - Pet can stay $15 extra Reservations (412-244-1600) Mention WPMC Christmas Party Main entrée selections: 1. Grilled Salmon 2. Roast Prime Rib of Beef Rare, Med, Med-Well or Well Done 3. Chicken Cordon Blu Entertainment: DJ MIKE Send your check made out to WPMC for $20.00 per person and meal selection to Scott Coatsworth by November 21th. RSVP: scoatsworth@westpennmiataclub.com Scott Coatsworth 1018 Marathon Drive Pittsburgh, PA 15235 412-951-3340